Coaling device for railway-trains



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. 'B. A. TRAPP. GOALING DEVICE FOR RAILWAYTRAINS.

No. 437,735. Patented Oct. 7, 1890.

INVE/VTUR Ma ATTORNEY.

TME Noalus PETERS 00., PNDfO-LIFNQ, WASMINGYDN, o. c,

(No Model.) v -3 Sheets--Sheet 2.

E. A. TBAPP. GOALING DEVICE FOR RAILWAY TRAINS.

No. 437,735. 7 Patented Oct. 7, 190.

IIVVENTOH (N6 Model.) a SheetsSheet 3.

E. A. TRAPR. GOALING DEVICE FOR RAILWAY TRAINS.

310.437,?35. Patented Oct. 7, 1890.

INVENTOI? [02M Q. Jiw f/ BY @mvfssfs;

aw- ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. TRAPP, OF BROOKLYN, NEXV YORK.

COALlNG DEVICE FOR RAILWAY-TRAINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,735, dated October'7', 1890.

Application filed April 10, 1890.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. TRAPP, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for OoalingRailway-Trains, of which the following is a specification. 7

The invention relates to improvements in coaling devices forrailway-trains; and it consists in a structure embodying elevatedcompartments or receptacles provided with doors and a discharge spout orchute suspended from pivotally-secured bars or straps and adapted to beswung outward in either direction, so as to be brought in line with thedoor of either compartment, the one discharge spout or chute thusserving to direct the coal into the tender of the locomotive on eithertrack of the road-bed.

The invention consists, further, in mechanism for holding the doors ofthe elevated compartments closed while the discharge chute or spouthangs downward at rest centrally below said compartment, and also inmechanism for closing the said doors by the movement of the dischargespout or chute to its normal position after a discharge of coal hastaken place. Upon the discharge-chute being swung by the fireman orengineer to one side or the other, so as to come into line with thecompartment adjacent to the track on which the tender is in waiting, theupper edge of the chute will move before it, the mechanism holding theoutlet-door of said compartment closed, and permit said door of its ownweight to fall open and discharge the coal, and upon the discharge-chutebeing permitted to return to its normal position it will engage themechanism which previously held the door closed and cause it to returnto its former position, closing the door and in that condition holdingit, so that the compartment maybe again replenished with coal. After thedoor-closing mechanism has been returned to its position against theclosed door it is automatically released from the discharge-chute, whichthen hangs freely, and may be swung in either direction, as necessitymay require, by the fireman or engineer.

There are two elevated compartments em- Serial No. 347,374. (No model.)

ployed-one for each trackwhile one discharge-chute serves for both saidcompartments,being capable of being broughtinto line with theoutlet-door of either and of closing said door after the discharge ofthe coal. The elevated compartments will be secured on a frame centrallyover the space between the tracks, and the discharge-chute when atrestwill hang directly downward, so as to aiford the necessary clearancebetween them and passing trains, as indicated in the drawings. Asupporting-rod is provided by which the chute may be sustained withoutmanual aid in the position given to it by the fireman or engineer forthe discharge of the coal.

The mechanism connected withone of the elevated compartments is aduplicate of that provided for the other compartments, and hence whileit will usually be more expedient to employ both compartments theinvention is not confined to a structure having the two elevatedcompartments, since where a single track alone is used but one elevatedcompartment will be necessary.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation,partlyin section, of the coal-chute embodying the elements of theinvention, the discharge end of which is shown in position to dischargethe coal into the tender of a locomotive. Fig. 2 is an end view of same,the discharge end of the chute in this instance being illustrated in itsnormal position and not in actual use. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detachedside elevation of a portion of the chute, illustrating the dischargeportion thereof in a partly-elevated position. Fig. 4 is a detached endview of same; and Fig. 5 is an enlarged central vertical section of apivoted casting for retaining the lower end of the supporting-rodconnected with the discharge-spout, the section being on the dotted line5 5 of Fig. 6, which is a top view of said casting.

In the drawings, A designates a platform located between the tracks ofan elevatedrailroad structure, and B denotes a superstructure or frame,to which is secured the sheet-metal coal-chute, consisting of thereceptacles or compartments G D, which have outwardly-fiaring mouths EF, and forming at their opposite outer surfaces segmental sections onwhich the discharge-spout G may be moved. The receptacles orcompartments D are connected and sustained by the braces H I, andcontain between them the horizontal aXle or shaft J, upon the oppositeends of which are hung the swinging rods lettered L M N, respectively,the rods M serving to sustain at their lower ends the discharge-spout G,and the rods L N respectively serving to sustain the means (hereinafterdescribed) for closing the doors P Q, hinged to the outer portions ofthe compartments or receptacles C D. The doors P Q are hinged at theirupper edges, as shown in Fig. 1, and are held in a closed position bythe contact of the roller R, (see Fig. 2,)which is mounted on thetransverse rods S, connecting the lower ends of the swinging rods L N,

- respectively.

Upon opposite ends of the rods S are secured the levers T, the longerarm V of which has a hook-shaped end, while the shorter arm W thereofoperates in the nature of a cam to lift the hook-shaped arm V from thepins X of the discharge-spout G when the latter is at its lowermostposition, which is that illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, at whichtime said discharge-spout G is at rest and free to be moved in eitherdirection. The releasing of the hook-shaped arm V of the lever T fromthe pins X of the discharge-spout is efiected by the arms W comingbeneath the pins Z, secured to the receptacles O D, the effect of saidpins being to hold the said arms W in a depressed position, and therebyto drive the hook-shaped arms V upward from the pins X. The twopositions of the lever T are illustrated in Fig. 1, the lever T on thecompartment D being shown with its arm W restrained by the pins Z andthe hook-shaped arm V elevated free of the pins X, connected with thedischarge-spout G, while the lever T, connected with the arms L of thecompartment 0, is represented with the cam-arm W released from the pinand turned upward by the weight of the hook-shaped arm V, the latterbeing depressed in position to engage the pins X as soon as thedischarge-spout G is freed andallowed to return to its lowermostposition centrally between the compartments 0 D. The purpose of theengagement of the pins X with the hook-shaped arms V is ,to insure thedownward movement of the rods L and roller R with the discharge-spout G,and thereby to effect the closing of the doors P Q simultaneously withthe removal of the discharge-spout G from over the tender of thelocomotive. Within the discharge-spout G are provided on opposite sidesthe fingers a b, which during the downward movement of the chute comeinto contact with the doors P Q and start them on their closing movementpreparatory to the roller R completely closing them.

It will be observed that but one dischargespout is made use of for bothof the compartments 0 D, this spout being suspended between the lowerends of the rods M in position to be swung in either direction in linewith the doors P Q, so that it may be utilized to feed the coal to thetender on either track of the road. In Fig. 1 the discharge-chute G isillustrated in position to discharge coal into the tender on theleft-hand track of the road, while in said figure I have alsoillustrated a car on the right-hand track of the road, the purpose ofdoing so being to disclose the relation of the coaling-compartments C Dwith the position of the passing trains.

The discharge-spout G is provided with handles d for the convenience ofthe fireman or engineer, and is also provided with the sup porting-rode, which is bifurcated at its upper end and pivoted to the lower portionof the said discharge-spout G, the lower end of the supporting-rod 6when at rest being per-'.

mitted to hang in a vertical position, as illustrated in Fig. 1 bydotted lines and in Fig. 2 by full lines.

Upon the platform A is swung, upon the pivots f, the casting g, one halfof which is shown in section in Fig. 1 and the other half in full lines,said casting. being open through the center and having between itsopposite sides the rollers 71. 2' and h z", the former being at theupper end of the casting and the latter at the lower end of same, asshown more clearly in Fig. 5. The platform A is cut away at its centerto permit a free swinging movement of the casting g on its pivots f,which are mounted in the upper end of bearings of usual form. The lowerportion of the rod 6 is located between the rollers h 'i and h i, asshown by dotted lines in Fig. 5, and is capable of vertical movement.The purpose of the casting g is to retain the lower portion of the rod 6without interfering with its movement under the direction of thedischargespout G and to firmly support the lower end ofsaid rod-whensaid spout is in its upper position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

The spout G and casting g, being hung on pivots or loosely swiveled, arecapable of being readily moved in either direction, and hence theengineer or fireman upon arriving at the platform A may readily takehold of the handles d or handle an and swing the chute G to its upwardposition, this act operating to draw the rod 6 upward through thecasting g until its lower end has passed upward beyond the lower rollers77. 7 the casting in the meantime turning on its pivots f under thepressure of the rod 6 against its rollers, so as to assume aninclination through its center in line with the gradually-increasinginclination of said rod. As soon as the rod 6 has passed upward asufficient distance to bring its lower end above the rollers 71. v) andthe bottom w of the castingthe latter will then be left free to turn onits pivots, and will consequently swing back to its normal position andleave its said bottom or fiangebeneath the lower end of IIO the rod 6,as shown in Fig. 5, in which position it will firmly support the rod eand discharge-spout G. When the fireman takes hold of the rod 6preparatory to coaling, he throws it upward with the discharge-spoutwith sufiicient force to cause the lower end of the rod 6 to pass upinto the interior of the casting g, and at this time the casting swingsback to its former position,so that its bottom will be in place tosupport the lower end of the rod e as the latter settles back after itsupward force has been spent.

The casting g is provided at its opposite edges with the foot-treadlesto, which are used in releasing the lower end of the rod 6 from theinterior of said casting. When the rod 6 is in the position shown inFig. 5, it, may be released by simply pressing on the treadle to at theleft-hand side of said figure until the open bottom of the casting is inline with the rod 6, at which time the rod will slip downward betweenthe rollers hi and 77/11 and assume the position indicated by dottedlines, the casting gradually turning on its pivots to its formerposition. The lower end of the rod e is provided with aroller tofaoilitateits movement along the bottom 10 of the casting g.

The upward movement of the dischargespout G, according to its direction,brings the buffer 01. against the shoulder t of the arm L or N and movessaid arm upward beyond the doorP or Q, permitting the latter toopen andthe coal to escape into the discharge spout or chute G. After the coalhas escaped from the discharge-chute G the fireman or engineer at theplatform A by pressing on the treadle to may cause the flange portion ofthe casting g to pass beyond the lower end of the rod 6, at which timethe said rod will slip downward between the rollers h i, and the chute Gwill return to its normal position between the compartments O D, and,through the pins X and hook-shaped arms V, close the doors P Q in themanner above described. The inner or facing sides of the compartments OD converge downward, as shown in Fig. 1, and in this position aid indirecting the coal into the discharge chute or spout G.

WVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

1. In coaling devices for railways, the elevated compartment having theoutlet-door on its side adjacent to the track, combined with thepivotally suspended discharge chute adapted to be swung over said door,the rods N, pivotally secured at their upper ends and at their lowerends, carrying the pivoted levers T and roller R, and the pins X Z, toengage the opposite ends of said levers, substantially as set forth.

2. In coaling devices for railway-trains, the elevated receptacles,combined with a chute pivotally secured at a point between saidcompartments and adapted to be swung in either direction over theexterior surfaces of said compartments, the doors for said compartments,and means, substantially as described, for opening and closing saiddoors, substantially as set forth.

3. In coaling devices for railway-trains, the

elevated compartments for receiving the coal and having curved exteriorsurfaces provided with doors for permitting the discharge of the coal atthe proper time, combined with the swinging chute adapted to be movedover the door of either of said compartments, the levers T, secured atthe ends of the rods N, and the roller R, carried on a shaft between theouter ends of said rods N, substantially as set forth.

4%. In coaling devices for railway-trains, the elevated receptacles orcompartments 0 D, open at their upper portions and provided with doors PQ, combined with the chute G, suspended on pivotally-secured rods Mcentrally between said compartments 0 D, means, substantially asdescribed, for opening and closing said doors, and means, substantiallyas described, for supporting the said chute in line with the door ofeither compartment, substantially as set forth.

5. In coaling devices for railway-trains, the elevated compartments 0 D,having doors P Q, combined with the chute G, suspended from a pivotlocated between said compartments 0 D, means, substantially asdescribed, for opening and closing said doors, the supporting-rod e,pivotally secured to said chute at its upper end, and the swingingcasting g, having rollers between which the lower end of the rod 6passes, and having also the treadle 10, substantially as set forth.

6. In coaling devices for railway-trains, the compartments 0 D, whosefacing sides converge downward, andwhich compartments are provided withhinged doors, combined with the swinging chute suspended from a pivot bymeans of rods M and adapted to be moved in either direction in the linedescribed by the exterior surfaces of said compartments, a support forthe chute, and means, substantially as described, for opening andclosing said doors, substantially as set forth.

'7. In coaling devices for railway-trains, the compartments 0 D,provided with the hinged doors P Q, combined with the pivotally-securedrods N L, carrying at their lower ends the levers T and rollers B, saidlevers having arms W V, combined with the studs Z, secured to saidcompartments, and the swing ing chute G, adapted to be moved in eitherdirection so as to be brought into line with either of said doors, andcarrying pins X, adapted to engage the arms V of said levers during thereturn of said chute to its normal position between the compartments,substantially as set forth.

8. In coaling devices for railway-trains, the independent compartments 0D, supported by a frame and connected by the braces H I, combined withthe doors P Q, the rods N L, pivotally secured at the upper portion ofsaid compartments and carrying between their Signed at New York, in thecounty of New 10 lower ends the levers T and rollers R, the York andState of New York, this 8th day of chute G, suspended from a pivotbetween said April, A. D. 1890. compartments and adapted to be moved inI either direction, the pins Xon said chute, the EDWARD A. TRAPP. studsZ on said compartments, the fingers a 12 Within said chute, and asupport for the l Witnesses:

chute when in line with either of said. doors, CHAS. O. GILL,substantially as set forth. ED. D. MILLER.

